A teenage boy and a police officer sustained injuries after fighting broke out between 30 youths armed with knives and sticks in north Belfast.
The PSNI is appealing for information following the report of a number of incidents of criminal damage and assault in the Skegoniel area on Friday at around 10pm.
Police said 20 to 30 youths gathered in the area and some armed with knives and sticks. Fighting broke out and a number of vehicles were damaged.
A 17-year-old boy received a head injury which was treated at the scene.
In bringing the incident under control, a police officer also sustained a minor injury.
One line of inquiry is that the fighting might have been organised on social media.
“Young people should be aware of the consequences of their behaviour not only in terms of the disruption to local communities but also the personal implications to them in carrying out criminal behaviour,” Chief Inspect Davy Moore said.
“It is an offence to possess an article which is sharply pointed (except a folding pocket-knife) in a public place unless it is for use at work, for religious reasons, or as part of a national costume. The maximum penalty for such an offence is imprisonment of up to six months and/or a fine of £5000 on summary conviction or two years on conviction on indictment (Section 139 Criminal Justice Act 1988).
Chief Inspector Moore urged young people to consider their actions and parents to monitor their children’s social media use and movements where possible.
“Parents need to take responsibility regarding the whereabouts of their children and in supervising access to social networking sites,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Antrim Road Police Station.